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Novilon Eurocup
Preview |
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After being cancelled like a
number of races last year due to snow the Novilon Eurocup
returns this year to wrap up the three races in the
Netherlands around Ronde van Drenthe World Cup.
The last time the race was run in 2012 Marianne Vos won ahead
of Marta Bastianelli from a two rider break with Lizzie
Armitstead finishing third one and a half minutes back. The
peloton crossed nearly two and a half minutes back with Monia
Baccaille winning the bunch sprint ahead of Kirsten Wild.
For riders and teams who missed out at the previous two races
it presents them their last opportunity to get a result from
the racing block.
The Route
Like the previous two races there is little climbing but that
doesn't mean it is all down to the sprinters with narrow roads
and cobbles almost certain to create splits.
Riders face the first cobbled section at the 15km. Just over
10 kilometres later is the only major climb of the day VAMBerg
(380m at 9.7% average) just before the 28km mark. The peloton
faces rolling roads for the remaining of the race including
seven cobbled sections with a total of over 12km. As with many
one day races the finish is after three laps of a finishing
circuit. The two sprint points come on the first and second
time over the line.
The Contenders
Yesterday the three bit Dutch teams - Rabo, Boels Dolmans and
Giant-Shimano forced the main split that saw a number of big
names caught out. Less climbing here but with long cobble
sections and narrow roads expect to see teams especially those
who lost out yesterday, fighting for position more than normal
ahead of the cobble sections.
Annemiek Van Vleuten
A late inclusion to the start list. The former overall World
Cup winner has had a strong start to the season with top 10
finishes in her first 4 races. Took 9th at Omloop Het
Nieuwsblad and 6th at Omloop van het Hageland in the opening
Belgium classics week. 19th at Molecaten Drentse 8 earlier
this week but took her top finish of the season so far of 5th
in the Ronde van Drenthe World Cup yesterday.
Emma Johansson
Johansson might have been off her best at Ronde van Drenthe
but expect her to use this to bounce back. Won Le Samyn and
2nd at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Omloop van het Hageland.
Finished 4th in the bunch sprint at Drentse 8. A hard day on
the bike at Ronde van Drenthe saw her miss the split and then
was isolated when a mechanical took Loes Gunnewijk out of the
group. Normally the name you would see attacking up the
VAMBerg but had nothing left when Lizzie Armitstead attacked.
The nature of the route does not suit her best but after
yesterday expect Johansson to come out firing.
Loes Gunnewijk
After illness in the first week of Belgium Classics, Gunnewijk
has rebounded and had in a good position in the main group. It
was only a mechanical that saw her drop out of the group.
After a disappointing day for her Orica-AIS squad expect to
see the Queen of the Cobbles motivated for a good result.
Ellen Van Dijk
Another late addition to the start list. After missing the
Tour of Qatar with illness the Tour Time Trial Champion has
started her usual early season good form. Just missed the top
10 at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad before taking 4th at Le Samyn.
Finished third in the overall World Cup standings last year
and got her 2014 campaign off to a good start with 7th in
Ronde van Drenth yesterday.
Chantal Blaak
After a quiet early part of the season Blaak put in a late
attack inside the final 5km at Molecaten Drentse 8. Despite a
fast chase from the peloton Blaak was able to hold on to win
solo scoring Specialized-lululemon their first win of the
year. Continued her strong form at Ronde Van Drenthe sprinting
to 2nd from the chase group to finish 4th overall.
Trixi Worrack
After taking 5th at the Tour of Qatar and solid performances
in the opening week of Belgium classics Worrack has stepped it
up at the Netherlands. The German Champion took 7th in the
sprint at Molecaten Drentse 8. Was present at the head of the
race for most of the day at Ronde van Drenthe and despite
missing the final move still took a strong 11th overall.
Kirsten Wild
Was dominant again at the Tour of Qatar taking three stages
and the overall. The form continued at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
where she finished 2nd in the bunch sprint to take 5th. Was
present in the main group all day at Ronde van Drenthe but
like the rest of the group had nothing left when Armitstead
attacked and took 6th. With flatter roads towards the finish
today the race is more suited to Wild.
Shelley Olds
Olds normally has a strong classics season and while she
missed the opening week in Belgium has come in with some good
form. Made the main group at Ronde van Drenthe. With
Armitstead and Anna van der Breggen off the front Olds won the
sprint from an elite chase group to take the final spot on the
podium.
Other names to watch: Lucinda Brand, Thalita De Jong, Amanda
Spratt, Nina Kessler, Tiffany Cromwell, Barbara Guarischi,
Lucy Martin, Liesbet De Vocht, Jolien D'Hoore, Jo Hogan, Sofie
De Vuyst and Maura Kinsella. |
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